A landmark study that lifts the lid on key features of one of the most hostile cancers will soon be published with funding from the CLCRF.

One of the Foundation’s Fellowship recipients, Dr Alex Beesley with Dr Anja Stirnweiss have comprehensively described, for the first time, the genetics behind NUT Carcinoma.

NUT Carcinoma is one of the most aggressive human cancers, and there is a desperate need for effective therapies for patients with this illness. It is a rare genetically defined disease not specific to any tissue type or organ and common sites include the head and neck.

So far the cancer has been very resistant to standard chemotherapy treatments. Specialists have found that tumours may initially respond to therapy, but then rapid recurrence is experienced. Treatment must be tailored to the individual patient.

The study is a culmination of the research program that the Foundation has funded over the last several years, both in the form of project grants and Dr Beesley’s CLCRF Fellowship. This latest award of $12,000 will assist in the publication of the highly important document.

It is hoped that the manuscript will be submitted to the journal Oncotarget and it represents a milestone publication that will help inform therapy choices for this aggressive cancer.

Expressing sympathy for cancer victims and what they go through was not enough for Carter Dunn. He wanted to do more and he did: shaving his head in the name of raising money for cancer research.

It was a sudden commitment that Carter was determined to see through when he came home from school one Monday to ask his parents if he could shave his head for charity.

“One of Carter’s friends had a family member who was battling leukaemia and he just came home and said he felt like he wanted to show his support and asked if he could shave off his hair,” Jacqueline Dunn explained.

“Carter literally decided on the Monday that he was going to do it on the Friday of the same week, so we set up his fundraising account and shared it via social media.”

When Friday came, a small amount of nerves kicked in, but Carter had no doubt that he was going to do it. He had the full support of his school friends who still couldn’t quite believe he was going through with it.

Once all his hair was reduced to tiny stubble his first reaction was – “Wow, it’s cold!” Then Carter smiled and said he was proud of himself, as were all his friends who cheered him on.

For Carter’s parents it was one of many proud parent moments they have had, acknowledging that he never hesitates to think of others despite his own personal trials. Carter recently had to undergo surgery to remove his gallbladder.

“We felt mega proud that Carter who has his own personal battles daily, just felt the need to do something for others, acted on it and followed through,” Jacqueline said.

Within five days Carter exceeded the target of $250 that he hoped to raise, instead he reached $440. He has no hesitation in repeating the shave once he has regrown his hair.

Mundijong resident and cancer survivor Georgia Lowry spoke about her new book Growing Georgia at the Byford Gala Ball last month. The 22-year-old survived bone cancer* as a baby and the book details her journey. Ms Lowry said her family inspired her and that Wilma Mann the author of the book helped her put it all together. “The process was a lot of fun,” she said.

“Wilma asked me many questions that were recorded and she managed to bring my story out in a way that really reflected who I was and what I want to say.” Ms Lowry said she hoped people would read it and become more aware of bone cancer. “Just because you, a family member or a friend has cancer or an illness it is definitely not the end of the road,” she said.

“Positive thinking and the power of the mind does a lot of things. “Well, it has done for me anyway.” Ms Lowry said she was lucky and thankful for the love and support she had from her family and friends.

“I’m really focused on my role as ambassador for the Children’s Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation,” she said. “I want to help find a cure so kids like me have a better outcome.” Ms Lowry works at a childcare centre and in her spare time rides her horses three days a week in preparation for competitions on the weekends but her main aim was to help with research.

“I hope one day to find a cure,” she said. “There is always hope and if anyone needs to talk to someone reach out to me. “I have a public Facebook page and will always talk to someone going through this.” Ms Lowry said if her journey could help even just one person she would be happy.

They may be more accustomed to green turf and and getting out of sand traps, but representatives from Royal Perth Golf Club embraced the chance to step into scientific surrounds on a visit to the CLCRF Research Lab.

Under the wing of tour guide Professor Ursula Kees, the golfers learned about very different challenges the researchers came up against each day as they strive to find answers to how they can help children with cancer.

It was an eye opening visit to see just what is taking place in the lab funded by CLCRF. They witnessed where and how the ‘cell lines’ taken from tumours of infants who are fighting or have survived cancer are being used to develop more effective treatment protocols for children around the world.

It was an ‘ace’ shot for the Foundation to make a great impression on the captivated audience. CLCRF has now been chosen as the 2017 beneficiary of the Royal Perth Golf Club’s annual charity day.

Thank you to the Royal Perth Golf Club for their generous support. Further details about the day will follow.

It has been seven years of fabulous support from Landsdale Forum News and their customers. What began in 2010 has in total amounted to $10,917 donated to the CLCRF to fund childhood cancer research.

As they sadly have to close their doors we at the CLCRF want to wish owner, Paul Slattery, all the best for his future endeavours as he has played a big part in what CLCRF has been able to achieve under the Lansdale Forum News banner.

A huge THANK YOU to Paul and Landsdale Forum News for their incredible support towards child cancer research over the years as a valued member of the Foundation.

On March 16, Poseidon Primary School, a small school of 370 students based in Heathridge, raised $2,269.30 for Children’s Leukaemia & Cancer Research Foundation (Inc.) (CLCRF) through their annual ‘hair-raising’ fundraising event.

Aroha White, one of the students of the school, was diagnosed with leukaemia and the school teamed together to raise money for CLCRF. Aroha’s mother, Emma White, as well as six school staff members were sponsored to change their hair in different ways.

A brave and excited Emma had her hair coloured with hairspray, then it was shaved off completely in front of the school. The school’s principal, Peter Blackford, was brave enough to have his hair coloured and shaved by Emma and Aroha White.

Many of the students also coloured their hair with hairspray for the special event.

A coin challenge after the hair shaving took place on their basketball court where each class had their own line to place coins and notes. The winner of the longest line went to Mrs Isbister’s Pre-Primary / Year 1 class. Some of the parents generously put down $50 notes in the challenge, which greatly helped in the fundraising.

Eco Faeries were painting children’s faces and engaging students with other fun activities.

Overall, the event was very inspiring for students and staff, and a fantastic amount was raised for CLCRF. Thank you Poseidon Primary School for your generosity and efforts towards raising money for child cancer research!

If you would like to start your own fundraising event, just start a fundraising page and share your link with friends and family!